Did It Rain at Your House? (04/30/2024)

I will never forget my first visit to my husband’s family. I was so excited. This was my opportunity to learn more about him through his family and to better understand him by knowing his family. I wanted to get to know them well. And so, I asked questions, lots of questions. After about an hour, Kenneth asked me to step out with him onto the porch for a breath of air. Once outside, he kindly explained to me that his family was very private. He suggested that my question assault may be too personal. So, I asked him, what kind of things I could talk to them about. He hesitated for a moment, then he said, “Did it rain at your house yesterday? would be okay.”

And so began my relationship with my husband’s family. They eventually warmed up to me; I eventually learned to learn through observation rather than peppering others with questions. In my defense, I was only 18. As a 74-year-old today, I do wonder why someone didn’t put me on the back of a donkey, lead me to the edge of the village, and ask me to never come back. But they didn’t. They gave me time to learn their ways. Thankfully, over the years, our conversations have outgrown the weather and now encompass their lives and feelings, their challenges and shining moments.

As I think back over my life and how I’ve learned to engage others, at times I wish I could dress up like a youngster again. People allow, even expect kids to ask questions because of their curiosity. I have outgrown my childhood high-top tennies, but I am still curious about everything. Thank you, LORD.

On our journeys, we are called to be persons of faith, to allow hope to buoy us even during difficult times, and to rely upon love as the fuel for the journey, love of our LORD and love of one another. Faith doesn’t mean, I’ve learned, to never ask questions. In fact, I’ve learned, this journey is all about questions: Are You there, LORD?; Can You help me, LORD?; What are You asking of me, LORD?; Why, LORD? Faith isn’t the absence of questions, I’ve learned, it is the knowledge that there is One who hears the question, the prayer, the pondering always and everywhere.

Our LORD is here for us. Our LORD guides us and graces us along the way. And sometimes, the only way to learn the truth is to ask the tough questions. But we also have to be patient because at times the answers come in incremental enlightenment and illumination. May we always be curious.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.